Creativity initiative in Portsmouth gets ACE backing

Portsmouth Creates is moving ahead with a project worth £1.1m to grow creativity and culture in Portsmouth after receiving backing from Arts Council England (ACE).

The organisation successfully bid for ACE Place Partnership funding worth £650,000 over the next three years.

Portsmouth Creates’ founding partners – Portsmouth City Council, the University of Portsmouth and Victorious Festival – are contributing £450,000.

A statement from the organisation says funding will be put towards an “an ambitious programme aimed at driving growth and developing talent and inclusion for creatives and communities through collaboration, building capacity and creative pathways”.

Plans include a Business Support Programme, Creative Directory, and Sector Mapping exercise to identify skill gaps and opportunities across the city.

Opportunities for young people include the development of a Youth Board Mentoring Scheme and Apprentice Programme.

Portsmouth is set to host the We Connect Annual Conference and We Shine 2024 and 2026. In 2025, a programme of citywide celebrations will spotlight Portsmouth’s role within the world of literature.

“As a Priority Place for Arts Council England, now is our time to ensure that the creatives, cultural organisations, and communities are given the skills and the confidence and opportunity to reach their full potential and beyond,” said, Gemma Nichols, Portsmouth Creates CEO.

“Portsmouth is a city full of creativity, through our programme our aim is to unlock much more of this."